Inoichi Yamanaka's humblebragging increased Shikaku's sense of urgency by two points.
He didn't play games, saying one thing and doing another. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I originally wanted Shikamaru to play for a few more days. Since Ino is working so hard, it seems I also need to urge my boy to train properly. You're busy, I'll go to the Ninja Academy to check on him!"
True to his word, the strategist left the Hokage Building and headed to the Ninja Academy.
Inoichi felt a sense of comfort from inside out, it was wonderful!
Shikaku had been talked into leaving. There was still one more old friend from Ino–Shika–Chō, and that was Choji's father, Choza Akimichi, the fifteenth generation "Cho."
Since the fourteenth generation "Cho," Torifu Akimichi, died in battle, the Akimichi Clan had lost its upward mobility, and their current family philosophy was essentially to lie flat.
Inoichi didn't care whether they were genuinely lying flat or just pretending. He waited in front of the Hokage Building, and soon, the tall, 180cm, 120kg Fatty Choza Akimichi walked out. Inoichi chatted idly for a bit, then repeated his words about his daughter's "low aptitude and weak willpower."
Choza was too fat; his face was full of flesh, and his eyes were just two slits.
He wasn't as smart as Shikaku. It took two rounds of Inoichi's humblebragging for him to roughly understand the meaning.
After offering a few words of congratulations, the big fatty smiled honestly, then left the Hokage Building. Judging by his direction, he was also heading to the Ninja Academy.
Inoichi continued to wait in front of the Hokage Building, watching Jonin stroll out one by one.
Kakashi? A man destined to be alone, he couldn't possibly understand the deep affection between parents and children. Nothing to say to him, let him pass.
Might Guy? A muscle-headed brute, this guy probably doesn't even know what a woman is, right? Let him pass.
Asuma and Yuhi? Hmm, Inoichi hesitated for a moment. These two were deeply in love, and most likely wouldn't understand the anxieties of parenthood. Let them pass too.
As he waited, Hiashi Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga Clan and Hinata's father, walked out.
Inoichi immediately went to meet him. "You're the one."
In less than half a day, the story of Ino and Hinata's taijutsu match at the Academy, followed by their renewed determination and hard work, spread among the Jonin.
The time, place, people, cause, process, and result of the event, all elements were present, and there were many witnesses. No one could find fault with it.
Most Jonin were supportive of Ino's efforts. Hard work is an excellent quality in any profession, and Ninja are no exception.
Most Jonin had been married and established their families for many years, so comparing their children was common. Using Ino as a topic, they recalled how hard they worked in their youth, and discussed how today's children were blessed but didn't realize it. The discussion grew heated, eventually even alarming the Third Hokage.
After hearing the story, the Third Hokage personally wrote "Guard against arrogance and impetuosity" and had an ANBU Ninja deliver it to Hinata, hoping she wouldn't become arrogant and would continue to work hard.
Danzo Shimura, on the other side, for some unknown reason, also wrote a handwritten scroll with "Catch up and strive forward" on it and had a Root Ninja deliver it to Ino.
It's ironic, but the Yamanaka Clan was actually aligned with Danzo Shimura. The Jonin Fu Yamanaka was Danzo's right-hand man, and Inoichi's intelligence department had many secret contacts with Root. The original Ino, after the Fourth War, married Sai, and the Yamanaka Clan consequently absorbed most of the Root Ninja, partly due to this reason. Since they were already aligned, Root had no ideological burden in joining the Yamanaka Clan after Danzo's death.
While the Jonin were idly chatting, Shikaku was the first to arrive at the Ninja Academy.
Upon inquiring, he learned that Ino hadn't come to school that day; Yamanaka Rino had requested a leave of absence for her, citing special training at home to prepare for the graduation exam.
Shikaku found his son on the school rooftop, along with Choji, who was inseparable from his son.
Choji was still eating snacks, while Shikamaru was lying on his back, hands clasped behind his head, staring blankly.
Shikaku coughed. Strictly speaking, his communication with his son also had some issues. Both father and son were too smart, and often didn't know what to say.
After thinking for a while, he simply said, "Since you're just skipping class at school anyway, come home with me and practice the family Secret Technique."
His words contained very little negotiation; it was almost a command.
Shikamaru was a little surprised and glanced at his nominal father: "I remember we agreed to learn the Secret Technique after graduating from school."
"That was the original plan, but now that girl from the Yamanaka Clan has already started practicing her Secret Technique. Inoichi says her learning progress is very fast. You're a smart child, you should be able to guess what I'm thinking, right?"
Shikamaru was silent for a few seconds, staring directly at the white clouds in the sky: "Women are such a hassle... I just wanted to live out these last six months peacefully, why is it so hard, sigh..."
He was a top-tier smart person and understood clearly that while Ino–Shika–Chō were comrades who could fight side-by-side, there was also a competitive relationship within this alliance. If he dropped the ball, it would lead to a series of unpredictable consequences.
Allies support each other, and they also motivate each other.
Inoichi's humblebragging today also had this meaning; he was reminding the Nara Clan.
"Let's go, Dad, let's go home." Shikamaru stood up rather lazily, hands in his pockets, and quietly said to Choji: "Unless something unexpected happens, I won't be able to come tomorrow. Your good days, hehe, are also over. We'll see each other in a few days. Women are such a hassle!"
"Oh, see ya." Choji, holding his snack bag, responded blankly.
Shikaku nodded gently to him, then took Shikamaru to Iruka to ask for leave.
Only Choji was left on the rooftop.
Choji looked fat and usually seemed naive, but he wasn't actually stupid. With Ino and Shikamaru leaving one after another, he roughly understood the reason behind it. It seemed he couldn't stay out of this matter either?
He finished the snacks in his hand, feeling muddled, and walked home alone.
Just as he walked out of the school gate, he met Choza Akimichi.
Choji was still very confused. He didn't have Shikamaru's intelligence, and he was young, so many things were just vague concepts to him; he didn't think them through particularly clearly. So, he asked his father.
"Is the Village going to war again? Why does even someone as lazy as Shikamaru force himself to do things he doesn't like?"
The big fatty Choza stroked his son's head and said gently, "No, it's not your turn to go to the battlefield yet, child. Remember my words: you are Ninja, and you must make some sacrifices. Ino and Shikamaru have both made their choices, and you must follow suit. This is your innate mission."
Choza took his son back to the Academy, made up a reason for his absence, and then went home to practice the family Secret Technique.